Saitama Prefecture
Beppu is considered one of the hot spring capitals of Japan, with the entire town’s identity based on the numerous public baths, hot spring hotels and resorts, and the volcanic pools called the 7 Hells. If in Kyushu, staying at a hot spring in Beppu is a must.
| The Good | The Not-So Good |
| Close to Tokyo | Few attractions |
Why go to Saitama Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture is attached to the north of Toyko. However, as there are no distinct borders the only way to know you have transitioned is that the number of tall buildings decreased. It is not really famous for anything notable other than being a commuting base for families and a bit of a concrete jungle. This is a bit unfair as large sections of the prefecture of devoted to agriculture and the west of mountainous and sparsely populated, similar to Tokyo.
What to do in Saitama Prefecture
The major attractions in Saitama Prefecture are listed below. The Bonsai Museum is well worth a visit and can be reached by Shinkansen very easily. For railroad enthusiasts, the Railway Museum is also a must-see.
Railway Museum
For those interested in transportation and engineering, a visit to the nearby Railway Museum in Tokyo is a must-see. The museum offers a comprehensive look into the history of rail travel in Japan, featuring a diverse collection of train cars, locomotives, and rail equipment, many of which are on display…
Greater Tokyo Area
Most people start their Japan journey in Tokyo, which has a great number if places to visit and a unique atmosphere. To the north and south are two very different areas that are within easy access; Saitama and Kanagawa Prefectures.When JapanTweet The Greater Tokyo Area is usually called the Kanto…
Bonsai Village and Museum
Tokyo’s Bonsai Museum houses a collection of over 300 bonsai trees, some over 800 years old, showcasing the timelessness and elegance of this ancient Japanese art form. #Bonsai #JapaneseTradition #TimelessBeautyWhen JapanTweet Bonsai, a traditional Japanese art form, may not hold the same widespread appeal in Japan as it once did,…
How to get to Saitama Prefecture
There are numerous train lines into and through Saitama Prefecture. The major city of Omiya allows access to both the Bonsai Museum and Railway Museum so it probably the only place you will be going. Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station if you have a JR pass. There are numerous local lines however the most convenient are the Shonan-Shinjuku line and the Ueno-Tokyo line, which both stop at Omiya Station. Here is a map showing Omiya and all the possible train lines. Due to the number of lines it can be quite confusing especially at Shinjuku or Tokyo station.
Places nearby Saitama Prefecture
Amusement Park Warehouse
Game centers are a popular past-time for young groups of schoolkids, couples spending time together and the occasional older loner passing time after work or at weekends. Amusement Park Warehouse in Kawasaki is an atmospheric game center worth a visit.When JapanTweet Ken OHYAMA from FUNABASHI, Japan (original source here) You…
Ueno Park
Ueno Park is a large park complex containing multiple large museums, Ueno Zoo, Shinobazu Pond and a variety of shrines and other cultural monuments. A highly recommended place to spend a full day wandering around without spending too much money.When JapanTweet The GoodThe Not-So GoodExtensive and beautiful parkCan get very…
Meiji Shrine
After the bustle of Harajuku, the calmness and isolation of the Meiji Shrine provides a welcome rest from the city hum. The woodland setting for one of Japan’s more revered holy sites allows you to forget about being in Tokyo, at least for a while.When JapanTweet The GoodThe Not-So GoodPeaceful…
Oku-tama Lake
Oku-tama is technically in Tokyo however clearly this is not the Tokyo everyone knows about. A famous spot during the fall season, Oku-tama Lake is a great place to walk through nature just over 2 hours from the bustle of Shinjuku.When JapanTweet The GoodThe Not-So GoodGreat during the FallDifficult to…
Yoyogi Park
A popular place for Japanese and expats, especially during Cherry Blossom season, Yoyogi park is usually full of a number of strange characters, foreigners and student groups on picnics, people flying kites, and locals showing off their expensive dogs.When JapanTweet If a local goes to Yoyogi park, it is almost…
Asakusa
The GoodThe Not-So GoodAtmospheric old town feelPacked with touristsEasy to get to Asakusa is a popular tourist location for foreign and Japanese alike. Too popular in fact, especially as the number of foreign tourists has increased by a factor of 10 in the last decade. However, there are still plenty…
